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Tokyo's new global startup event offers a chance for Japanese innovators to speak to international audiences - and get their overseas expansion plans assessed.Japan Global Innovators' Forum (JGIF) takes place on March 15, supported by Tokyo Gov't, Mainichi newspaper TOKYO, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative Japanese startups with global ambitions will be gathering in the heart of Tokyo on March 15, showcasing the solutions they offer to help solve the world's biggest social and environmental challenges to a panel of international experts who will assess their growth potential overseas. The inaugural Japan Global Innovators' Forum (JGIF) will invite promising Japanese startups in three specific categories: Age Tech, Disaster Tech, and Clean Energy. The Japanese innovators will receive hands-on feedback and advice on their global expansion plans from various industry experts, ranging from venture capitalists to media professionals and to international NGOs, who will be joining this event in person or online from overseas. The event, supported by the Government of Tokyo, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and the Office of Economy and Commerce at the Spanish Embassy in Japan, will be co-hosted by Japan's solutions-focused news service J-Stories and the Mainichi national daily's startup accelerator, Mainichi Future Creation Lab. The event also aims to explore the latest trends in ESG investment and facilitate networking, emphasizing the need for "inclusive innovation" to address social and environmental problems sustainably. Organizers hope that the event becomes a practical meeting point between aspiring Japanese startups and their potential partners and supporters overseas, including VCs and CVCs. It is also expected to provide opportunities for overseas journalists to directly access Japanese startups and innovators for news coverage. Toshi Maeda, founder and executive editor J-Stories, says that while Japan has many startups with the potential to solve global social issues and excel internationally, they often focus primarily on domestic fundraising and business development. He suggests that this may be due to a lack of opportunities for international exposure and believes that many domestic pitch events do not sufficiently serve to communicate these ventures abroad. "Driven by such awareness, we have organized this event to support the global outreach of promising Japanese startups," said Maeda. Yasuyuki Takatsuka, president and CEO of Mainichi Future Creation Lab, discusses the growing interest in "zebra companies" that aim to create a better society through their business, rather than just rapid growth. "The theme of tis event - Inclusive Innovation – is born from the idea of creating a more sustainable world where no one is left behind, aligning with the ethos of Zebra companies," Takatsuka said. "We are genuinely pleased to have J-STORIES as a strong partner to hold such an event. There are many excellent startups in Japan working on solving various challenges, and we hope our efforts can help them make an impact globally." [Event Overview] "1st Japan Global Innovators' Forum (JGIF)" Partners and Supporters: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TiB partner), The Mainichi Newspaper, The Embassy of Spain's Office of Economic and Commerce, Pacific Bridge Media & Consulting (PBMC) Participating Startups: Startups focusing on Disaster Tech, Age (Silver) Tech and Clean Energy ... AND MORE! Participating Commentators' Countries of Origin: Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Japan, among others. Tickets: ¥1,500 for on-site participants (includes snacks and drinks for netwokring event ); Free for online participants. On-site participants are requested to bring two business cards. [ Program (Tentative; subject to change) ] Part 1: Case Study and Feedback (18:00-19:30 Tokyo time / 10:00-12:00 CET) Group 1: Disaster Tech (30 minutes) <Commentators> Group 2: Age Tech (30 minutes)0 <Commentators> Group 3 : Clean Energy (30 minutes) <Commentators> Part 2: Roundtable Discussion (19:30-20:00 Tokyo time / 11:30-1200 CET) Topic: The latest global trends in ESG investing, and their possible repercussions on startups in Japan (tentative, subject to change) Speakers: Moderators: Part 3: Networking Event (20:00-21:00 Tokyo time) (Tokyo/TiB venue only) For inquiries, please contact the organizers at [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tokyos-new-global-startup-event-offers-a-chance-for-japanese-innovators-to-speak-to-international-audiences---and-get-their-overseas-expansion-plans-assessed-302071099.html SOURCE PACIFIC BRIDGE MEDIA AND CONSULTING |